44 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Sept., 



mates low, so that in all probability forty bushels is not too 

 low. 



AA'ith good methods of production one hundred forty bas- 

 kets or seventy bushels per acre is not at all impossible. 

 One hundred twenty baskets or sixty bushels from an acre is 

 often secured by good farmers, while one hundred baskets or 

 a fifty bushel yield ought to be possible for every corn grower- 

 This increase of ten bushels or twentv baskets from each 

 acre would mean more food and more money for the farmers, 

 ail coming from the same land we are now using. 



Factors Influencing the Yield of Corn. 



If the average corn crop is too low, what is the matter with 

 it? What is the matter with corn growing in Connecticut? 

 A\'hy doesn't Connecticut raise more corn to the acre? \\'e 

 are not living up to our opportunity. If we are not raising 

 fiftv bushels or one hundred baskets, what is the matter? 

 \\'hat one factor in corn production will return us the largest 

 profit or increase if it is remedied? In what one place can 

 the growing of corn in Connecticut be improved that will re- 

 turn the greatest amount for the expenditure? 



This chart gives the important points in corn raising. Let 

 us examine each of them, and will each person present mani- 

 fest his opinion of the most important point by raising his 

 hand? The question is: AMiich of these factors if improved, 

 would give the most increase in corn yield? 



Is it lack of fertility? One vote 



Is it poor seed? Fifteen votes 



Is it poor preparation of soil? . Ten votes 



Is it poor stand? Six votes 



Is it poor cultivation? Twenty-two votes 



Is the season most important? One vote 



There must be one thing which if remedied would increase 

 the corn yield more than anv other. Is it lack of fertility, 

 lack of preparation, poor seed or poor stand? A poor stand 

 results from a combination of several things. Have you 

 ever gone into a corn field and counted how many stalks were 

 there and compared this with the number there should be? 

 I would advise you to try it next year. In a vast majority of 

 cases the stand is seventy, eighty, or ninety per cent, of what 



